Snowblower powered by the machinery&#39;s hydraulic system

ABSTRACT

Hydraulic system mounted to a snowblower allowing to the auger to be driven at a speed that feeds the fan with snow at a rate and load, which let the snowblower blows the snow without losing any performance, and avoiding the fan from slowing down below its critical speed and to block.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a snowblower powered by the machinery's hydraulic system.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related ArnA search of prior art records has unveiled the following patents:

[0004] 1. U.S. Pat. No. 4,367,603 issued in 1983 to Schlapman;

[0005] 2. U.S. Pat. No. 4,385,457 issued in 1983 to Fralish;

[0006] 3. U.S. Pat. No. 4,391,052 issued in 1983 to Guy,; and

[0007] 4. U.S. Pat. No. 5,209,003 issued in 1993 to Maxfield and al.

[0008] The patent issued in 1983 to Guy is probably the most relevant. As can be seen, the problem encountered with use of the snowblower to Guy is that, the motors are connected to the same source of fluid under pressure through the utilization of appropriate throttle and reversing valves, and that each of the motors may have its speed of operation adjusted to provide maximum efficiency in blowing the particular snow being handled, but however the hydraulic motors speed adjustments are actuated by the control valves.

[0009] To overcome the above-mentioned problem, in accordance with the teachings of the invention, there is disclosed a snowblower powered by the machinery's hydraulic system, which is relatively simple and economical to manufacture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The gist of the invention is therefore to provide a snowblower with an hydraulic system allowing to the auger to be driven at a speed that feeds the fan with snow at a rate and load, which let the snowblower blows the snow without losing any performance, and avoiding the fan from slowing down below its critical speed and to block.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

[0011] Having thus generally described the nature of the present invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, showing by way of illustration a preferred embodiment thereof and in which:

[0012]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an hydraulic system mounted to a snowblower shown-in phantom lines-, avoiding the fan from slowing down below its critical speed and to block;

[0013]FIG. 2 is a top view of the hydraulic system mounted to a snowblower shown-in phantom lines-:

[0014]FIG. 3 is a front view of the hydraulic system; and

[0015]FIG. 4 is a diagram of the hydraulic system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Now referring to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 to 4, an hydraulic system mounted to a snowblower embodying the elements of the present invention will be described. More particularly, the hydraulic system mounted to a snowblower is intended to be used in connection with a tractor, skid steer or any other driving machine.

[0017] As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4, the hydraulic system is composed of an hydraulic pump (2) which pumps out the hydraulic fluid from hydraulic thank (3) at a low pressure. The fluid coming out from the pump passes through a valve (4) sending the fluid back to the thank (3) or drive any hydraulic accessories such as a snowblower usually connected to the hydraulic power source with a quick connector (5) allowing a fast or removal installation of the snowblower (1). The hydraulic fluid is sent directly to the main hydraulic manifold (6) of the snowblower (1), to the auger motor (7) and come back to the main hydraulic manifold (6) by its return line and case drain line. The fluid coming back from the auger motor (7) to the main hydraulic manifold (6) is conduct to the fan motor (8), and the fan motor return line and case drain line get back the fluid into the main hydraulic manifold (6). The fluids passing through the hydraulic motors return to the machinery's hydraulic system through the quick connector (5). Inwardly from the manifold (6), a cartridge valve (9) bypasses a part of the total amount of fluid passing through the auger motor (7) from its inlet to its outlet, and the cartridge valve (9) is actuated by the input pressure measure on the input hose which bring back the fluid from the machinery's hydraulic system. The chute rotation mechanism is actuated by an hydraulic cylinder (10) controlled by an electric valve (11) actuated by a switch (12) fixed nearby the operator, the chute deflector is actuated by an hydraulic cylinder (13) controlled by an electric valve (14) actuated by a switch (15) fixed nearby the operator, and the electric valves (11)(14) are connected directly on the main hydraulic manifold (6). The electric power source (16) supplies the electrohydraulic valves (11)(14). 

The embodiments of the invention for which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed, are defined as follows:
 1. Hydraulic system mounted to a snowblower, said hydraulic system comprising: the fluid coming out from the pump passes through a valve sending the fluid back to the thank or drive any hydraulic accessories such as a snowblower usually connected to the hydraulic power source with a quick connector allowing a fast or removal installation of the snowblower; said hydraulic fluid is sent directly to the main hydraulic manifold of the snowblower, to the auger motor and come back to said main hydraulic manifold by its return line and case drain line. The fluid coming back from said auger motor to said main hydraulic manifold is conduct to the fan motor, and said fan motor return line and case drain line get back the fluid into said main hydraulic manifold. The fluids passing through the hydraulic motors return to the machinery's hydraulic system through said quick connector; the cartridge valve located inwardly from said manifold bypasses a part of the total amount of fluid passing through the auger motor from its inlet to its outlet, and said cartridge valve is actuated by the input pressure measure on the input hose which bring back the fluid from the machinery's hydraulic system; the chute rotation mechanism and the chute deflector are actuated by an hydraulic cylinder controlled by an electric valve actuated by a switch fixed nearby the operator, and said electric valves are connected directly on said main hydraulic manifold; and the electric power source supplies the electrohydraulic valves.
 2. The hydraulic system of claim 1, wherein said hydraulic fluid is sent directly to the main hydraulic manifold of the snowblower, to the fan motor and come back to said main hydraulic manifold by its return line and case drain line. The fluid coming back from said fan motor to said main hydraulic manifold is conduct to the auger motor, and said auger motor return line and case drain line get back the fluid into said main hydraulic manifold. The fluids passing through the hydraulic motors return to the machinery's hydraulic system through said quick connector; 